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ABOUT THE ELECTIONS

What is the election all about?

In Karnataka Legislative Council, seven of the 75 members are elected from graduate constituencies. A graduate constituency is one in which only graduates from any recognised Indian university can vote. Bangalore is one such constituency. This election is held once in six years.

Every graduate from any Indian University can register as a graduate voter. This is a separate voting list from the usual voter list used for MLA, BBMP and MP elections. This has to be done NOW. Registration closes on 5th Nov 2011.

Who is an MLC?

MLC (Member of Legislative Council) has a term of six years. Their functions are similar to that of Rajya Sabha members. They are expected to help government make laws and regulations based on their knowledge and experience. Of the 75 MLCs, 25 are selected by Legislative Assembly, 25 by local authorities, 11 by Governor, seven each are elected from graduates' constituency and teachers' constituency.

MLCs can put questions to ministers, raise debates and adjournment motions. They can be elected as ministers. Legislative Council can introduce ordinary bills, but not money bills (related to taxation, spending etc). Money bills can originate in Assembly only.

When an ordinary bill comes to Council from Assembly, the Council can suggest changes and send it back to the Assembly. It can delay passing of a bill for a maximum of four months, after which the Assembly can make the final decision. In the case of money bills, Council can suggest changes within 14 days of receiving it, but Assembly go ahead either with or without accepting these suggestions. MLCs can access the Local Area Development Fund of Rs 1.5 crore.

Who was the previously elected MLC from Bangalore graduate constituency?

BJP's Ramachandra Gowda is the current MLC. He was the Medical Education Minister in Yedyurappa cabinet, but was forced to resign after he was accused of corruption in recruitments to medical colleges.

ABOUT VOTING

Who can vote?

The voter should be an ordinary resident of Bangalore, and should have had completed graduation by November 1st 2008 from Indian university (the results of the qualifying exam should have been published by Nov 1st 2008).

Who is an "ordinary” resident?

Anyone who is a permanent resident in the constituency is an ordinary resident. Those who are temporarily absent from the constituency will be considered residents too. But a person will not be considered resident only because he owns property here. People who are receiving treatment for mental illness in an establishment or are serving a prison term are not ordinary residents.

Members of armed force, police force and central government employees working outside India are considered ordinary residents, even if they do not reside in the constituency. The same benefit is extended to certain offices notified by the President such as Ministers, Governors, Speakers in legislatures etc.

How to register?

Click here to download Form 18 for registration (it can also be collected from designated officers). Forms can also be either handwritten or generated from the tool below.

2. Copy of your degree certificate self-attested, it if you are personally submitting it.

Where to submit the registration forms?

Submit the completed forms to specified officers – 39 officers have been designated for entire constituency. Of them 21 are Revenue Officers from BBMP, and the rest are Tahsildars, Deputy Commissioners of Urban district/BBMP etc. (Click here for full list of officers).

Take your original degree certificate or marksheet as proof while submitting the form. If original certificate is not available, you can submit

- A copy of the degree certificate or mark sheet attested by Tahsildars/Principals of Govt degree colleges or inter colleges/ Joint Block Development officers/ Gazetted Executive Officers of BBMP.- A copy of the registration card issued by the University which authenticates them as a registered graduate. - A copy of relevant entry in the roll of registered medical practitioners/advocates/chartered accountants/engineers etc can also be submitted.- An affidavit from the applicant supported by a certificate from the head of department/principal of the college or Registrar of the university under which he studied

Some people do feel this is an 'elitist' concept - that assumes 'educated' people deserve a special privilege like this. However this is a role that has been mandated by the constitution and MLCs are elected and have a large development fund at their disposal. So citizens have a duty in ensuring the right candidate is elected.

This journalism is supported by Oorvani Foundation, a non-profit trust working on community funding for independent media. For more information about the trust, check oorvani.org.in, where you can also find the complete list of donors, and our ethics and standards policies.

2 Comments

Rashmi Bala Gupta

If it could be possible to register online? It makes a lot of help to seniors.